Chapter 114: Who Isn't a Perfectionist?

On stage.

Li Shixin clenched his back teeth, a persistent ache in his waist making it difficult to maintain his posture.

He tried to steady An Xiaoxiao on his back.

This girl...

Seemed to have gotten even damn heavier!

“An Xiaoxiao, what’s going on with you?” Li Shixin gritted his teeth and murmured in a low voice.

“Burp,” An Xiaoxiao’s eyes darted away briefly before she let out a satisfied burp.

“Teacher, I was wrong. The director treated us to lunch, and I ate a bit too much.”

“But that hot pot buffet was seriously delicious!”

“How much did you eat, you little brat! My back can barely hold you anymore!”

“Uh... I’m not exactly sure how much, but in the end, the owner kicked us out...”

Li Shixin was speechless.

Normally, carrying An Xiaoxiao like this wouldn’t be a problem at all. But now, with an injury in his waist, combined with her antics, it was truly starting to wear him down.

But even if it was tough, he had to push through. Since he was already on stage, he had to grit his teeth and keep performing!

Though his posture was awkward and the dialogue with his daughter suffered due to his struggle, Li Shixin persevered, completing the first three parts: “The stormy journey home,” “He will be with you for life, and I will continue to love you for the rest of mine,” and “I no longer recognize the person in the mirror.”

In the audience.

After the third act ended, a group of management staff who had been persuaded by Sun Yaozhong over the past two days clicked their tongues in contemplation.

“Old Director, the script itself is quite good. But... the acting doesn’t seem very outstanding.”

“Yes, I agree with Director Song’s opinion. There’s something off. The actors’ expressions aren’t quite hitting the mark; emotionally, there’s a barrier that prevents me from fully connecting. Old leader, our cultural system really put a lot of effort into promoting this at your behest. But I’m afraid the stage quality might...”

“Why don’t you negotiate with that small theater and grant the rights to our city drama troupe? Let them perform it. I think this script could truly shine then.”

Hearing the hesitant suggestions around him, none daring to outright say he had overstated things, Sun Yaozhong’s beard bristled in irritation!

Yet, seeing the looks of “Has your aesthetic sense declined since retirement?” on everyone’s faces, he straightened his neck and said sternly, “Perhaps the actors weren’t fully focused during today’s content review. But just wait—the fourth act is the highlight of the entire play! If that part doesn’t move you, then it means I’m old and my taste is failing.”

“Well, old leader, that’s nonsense. You’ve been in the cultural system for so many years, over twenty in our Rongdian Cultural Bureau, witnessing and supporting the rise of Rongdian’s cultural industry. If your taste is off, then who else’s is right? Am I right, everyone?”

“Yes, yes, yes, Old Director, don’t overthink it. Maybe we’re judging it by normal performance standards and being a bit biased.”

“Hmph.”

Sun Yaozhong let out a heavy snort. Actually, he did notice that Li Shixin seemed off today.

But unaware of the injury in Li’s waist, he didn’t dwell on it. Holding his breath, he sat upright, anticipating the final act.

Looking at those around him who were flattering out of politeness, he twitched his beard.

Just wait—when the climax of the fourth act comes, if it doesn’t make you all cry your eyes out, I’ll never step foot inside the Cultural Plaza again!

At that moment, Li Shixin and the others finished their preparations and began the fourth act.

A foolish father gets lost on a stormy night; his daughter and son-in-law frantically search. At the gates of an abandoned school, the daughter finds her father. Upon hearing his words, “I’ll pick you up from school,” the father and daughter embrace. Then the daughter asks, “You’ve forgotten everything else, so how do you still remember this?”

In this segment, the father’s image is already aged. No physical exertion is required, and Li Shixin’s performance immediately returns to its usual standard.

The emotional buildup from the previous three acts, coupled with his restored acting, fully conveyed the depth of feeling to the management staff watching below.

In the audience, Director Song and several young staff stared fixedly at the stage, tears quietly streaming down their faces. Sun Yaozhong raised his chin.

Ha!

Dare to question my taste?

Just wait!

Recalling the premiere at the small theater, where the daughter in her youth appeared on stage in a montage, standing next to the embracing father and middle-aged daughter for over a minute—

Sun Yaozhong felt a lump in his throat.

Just a few more seconds and the most poignant moment of the entire play would be revealed—one that would make them weep uncontrollably!

Just as he thought this, on stage, the father replied directly, “Because you are the attachment I can never forget in this life!”

Then, the actors stood and took their bows.

The curtain fell...

“Wonderful! Although the first act felt a bit lacking, the last three acts truly moved me like nothing in recent years!”

“Yes, an excellent script with a very positive message!”

“Good, the content is solid. Just fix the issues in the first act. Tomorrow night at seven sharp, we’ll have the official performance!”

Beside Sun Yaozhong, Director Song and others rose excitedly to applaud.

Yet, in that moment, an immense weight seemed to press down on the old man’s heart.

Those who hadn’t seen the premiere might not understand, since the rhythm of the play hadn’t fundamentally changed.

But for him, having seen it before, this performance felt like building up to seventy percent of the climax only to be kicked out of the pit.

The best part never came.

It was frustrating!

...

“Brother, what happened today? It felt worlds apart from the first performance!”

As Director Song and his group left the Cultural Plaza, Sun Yaozhong, who had been holding back, finally lost his composure and grabbed Li Shixin, bluntly asking.

Seeing Sun Yaozhong’s unsatisfied, almost pitiful expression, Li Shixin grinned.

“What’s up, old friend?”

“What’s up? You tell me! You were completely out of it in the first act. Didn’t you notice?”

“Sun Lao, here’s the thing. Brother twisted his waist two days ago. The first act was probably tough for him,” Zhao Jinzhi quietly defended Li Shixin.

“Uh,” An Xiaoxiao blushed, “I also ate too much today, maybe burdening Teacher Li. Grandpa Sun, I promise I’ll perform on an empty stomach for the official show.”

Hearing this, Sun Yaozhong was momentarily stunned. Then he sighed, “Well, that’s understandable. But what about the fourth act? That final section moved me the most. The young daughter’s montage entrance, standing beside the embracing father and middle-aged daughter—it’s highly symbolic. I see it as a symbol of the daughter rekindling her feelings for her father. That minute-long song elevated the entire emotional realm of the play! Without that part, it just feels wrong!”

“Well,” Li Shixin smiled wryly, “that song can’t be used. The copyright holders from Huaqi Group came knocking, claiming infringement.”

“What?” Hearing this, Sun Yaozhong snapped, slapping his thigh. “What a bunch of scoundrels!”

Nearby, Zhao Jinzhi took a deep breath.

“You can’t say that,” Li Shixin said helplessly, shaking his head. “If they want to be strict, we actually have no case. We’ll just have to revise the script.”

“Hmph! Grandpa Sun’s right!” An Xiaoxiao burped again. “What right do they have? They’re just trying to scam your copyright! A bunch of scoundrels!”

Zhao Jinzhi glared at Li Shixin and sighed deeply once more.

Li Shixin didn’t want to argue further, waving his hand with a smile.

Frowning, Sun Yaozhong thought about his favorite act being cut—it felt like a thousand claws scratching his heart.

“So, brother, what do you plan to do? Without that final section, the play won’t shine. The audience will feel uncomfortable watching!”

Seeing Sun Yaozhong scratching his head anxiously, Li Shixin chuckled.

“Don’t worry, Old Sun. Give me some time. Tomorrow, I won’t let you down.”